Chinese Americans and Their Immigrant Parents: Conflict, Identity and Values

Based on culture-related themes derived from the author's psychotherapeutic work with young Chinese-American professionals, this important book relates personal problems and conditions to specific sources in Chinese and American cultures and the immigration experience. Unique and practical, this is a nonclinical work that will help Asian Americans connect historical and cultural meanings to their Chinese roots. It will also give educators, mental health professionals, and those working with Chinese populations firsthand insight into the lives and identities of Chinese-American immigrants. Exploring the meaning and arrangement of Chinese family names, the bonds among family members, and the different contexts of self to Chinese Americans, this valuable book offers you insight into the dilemma between self and family that both the younger and older generations must face in American society. In order to help you understand Chinese immigrants or help your clients, Chinese Americans and Their Immigrant Parents provides you with information about several differences found between the two cultures, such as: understanding that words and concepts may not relate to the same emotions or translate exactly between languages realizing that strong family bonds of the Chinese fosters interdependence, unlike Americans who admire self-assertiveness and independence recognizing the fear that Chinese immigrant parents have of losing their strong family ties and seeing their children forsake customs because they do not want to be seen as different discovering why risk-taking and adventurous acts are discouraged by many Chinese parents comprehending the great importance to Chinese parents of continuing their family and raising successful children acknowledging the different roles of men and women within several different contexts in American and Chinese societiesWith personal vignettes, humor, and interesting insights, Chinese Americans and Their Immigrant Parents: Conflict, Identity, and Values demonstrates how some Chinese Americans are connecting historical and cultural meanings to their Chinese roots and bridging generational gaps between themselves and their parents to create a truly cross-cultural identity.

Based on culture-related themes derived from the author's psychotherapeutic work with young Chinese-American professionals, this important book connects personal problems and conditions to specific sources in Chinese and American cultures and histories and the immigration experience. Unique and practical, Chinese Americans and Their Immigrant Parents: Conflict, Identity, and Values will help Chinese Americans in their daily activities and provide parents, educators, and mental health professionals with first-hand insight into the lives and feelings of Chinese-American immigrants. Full of personal vignettes, humor, and interesting insights, this guide will help you understand and assist Chinese-American immigrants in finding and shaping their cross-cultural identity.

Full of personal vignettes, humor, and interesting insights, Chinese Americans and Their Immigrant Parents: Conflict, Identity, and Values demonstrates how some Chinese Americans are connecting historical and cultural meanings to their Chinese roots and bridging generational gaps between themselves and their parents. Based on a therapist's findings after working with several young clients, this informative resource examines several key points that set apart these two cultures, including: <BR>-- the roles of men and women within several different contexts in American and Chinese societies<BR>-- language barriers that make it difficult to express concepts<BR>-- the family structure of the Chinese that fosters interdependence, while American culture admires independence<BR>-- fear that Chinese immigrant parents have of losing their strong family ties and seeing their children not practicing traditional customs because they do not want to be perceived as "different" by peers